Sheet product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A rolled paper product dispenser having a dispensing nozzle with inner and outer portions that cooperate to enable single sheet dispensing and resist sheet product falling back into the dispenser and out of reach of a user.

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/519,216 filed on Jun. 14, 2017, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to dispenser for dispensing rolledpaper products.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Systems dispensing consumable products are ubiquitous in manyenvironments today. For example, bath tissue dispensers are commonplacein many private, semi-private and public washrooms. Given thiswidespread adoption, discouraging excessive use of the paper productsdispensed by such dispensers helps control the cost of operatingfacilities in which these dispensers are located, including, forexample, reducing the amount of paper products required to be purchasedand reducing the costs associated with servicing and maintaining thedispensers, e.g., refilling the dispensers with additional paperproducts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, the subject matter of this specification relates to a paperproduct dispenser for roll-based sheet-by-sheet dispensing. One aspectof the subject matter described in this specification can be implementedin systems that include a dispenser having a body having a productholding area for the product, and a front cover pivotally hinged to aback cover to allow the front cover to transition between an openposition and a closed position; a dispensing nozzle located in the frontcover and proximate to a core of the product when the front cover is inthe closed position, wherein: the dispensing nozzle has an inner portionand an outer portion with the inner portion being closer to the rollwhen the front cover is in the closed position than the outer portion;the inner portion has a plurality of fingers with each of the pluralityof fingers having a floating finger end and at least two finger ends arenot connected to each other, and wherein the plurality of fingers definea cone shape of the inner portion and the at least two finger endsdefine at least part of a pathway through which for sheets of theproduct can be dispensed; and the outer portion has an opening that atleast partial overlaps the pathway.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of thefollowing advantages. For example, the dispenser, by virtue of singlesheet dispensing, promotes portion control and reduces excessive use ofthe paper products, e.g., bath tissue, which also reduces the costassociated with operating the dispenser.

Center pulled products, as described below, are often dispensed througha small opening in the dispenser's front cover. In some instances thepaper product may fall back down inside the dispenser, e.g., if a sheetof the paper product is perforated or torn prematurely, for example,before it passes through the dispenser opening to be accessible to theuser. This occurrence can render the dispenser inoperable as thedispensing opening is often too small to allow the user to reach insidethe dispenser to retrieve the next sheet.

To address this issue, the dispenser described herein includes adispensing nozzle (e.g., opening) with a valve structure that allows thepaper product sheets to pass out of the dispenser during a dispensingoperation but resists the sheet reversing direction and falling backdown inside the dispenser and out of reach of the user. This avoids theuser being frustrated from not being able to use the dispenser andavoids unnecessary maintenance or service visits to open the dispenserand feed the paper product back through the opening for access by theuser.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matterdescribed in this specification are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter will become apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a representation of an example product dispenser.

FIG. 1B is a representation of an example roll of paper product.

FIG. 1C is a cutaway representation of the example dispenser with thefront cover of the body in a closed position.

FIG. 1D is a cutaway representation of the example dispenser with thefront cover of the body in a closed position to and in an open positionto show the product holding area.

FIG. 2A is a first side cutaway representation of the dispensing nozzle.

FIG. 2B is a second side cutaway representation of the dispensingnozzle.

FIG. 2C is a perspective representation of the dispensing nozzle.

FIG. 2D is a cross sectional representation of the dispensing nozzlewith a sheet product extending out through the dispensing nozzle.

FIG. 2E is a perspective representation of the secondary member of thedispensing nozzle.

FIG. 3 shows representations of an example product support structure.

FIG. 4 shows representations of an example forward biasing device.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a dispenser that providessingle sheet (e.g., one at a time) dispensing from a roll, e.g., bathtissue roll.

Dispensers aimed at curbing excessive consumption of the paper productare sometimes referred to roll portion control dispensers. One techniqueto achieve such portion control is by dispensing only a single sheet ata time. This may require coordination between the paper product rolldesign (e.g., the type of perforations separating the individual sheetson the roll, the width and length of each sheet, etc.) and thedispensing system, including the dispensing nozzle, through which thesheets are dispensed.

To that end, the dispensing system, including the dispensing nozzle,described herein has a is matched to the paper product size, i.e., sheetlength, width, bulk and/or composition, to apply sufficient force andcause the sheets, which are separated by perforations, to tear apart asthey are pulled through for single sheet dispensing. For example, theuser grabs a portion of a sheet from the roll protruding from thedispenser opening and pulls the sheet. The force required to pull theprotruding sheet through the opening exceeds the force required to tearthe perforations separating it from the next sheet on the roll. Thus asthe sheet is pulled through the opening it separates from the nextsheet, for single sheet dispensing, and leaves the next sheet partiallyprotruding from the dispenser opening for the user to grab for the nextdispensing operation.

FIG. 1A is a representation of an example product dispenser 100. Thedispenser 100 can be, for example, a bath tissue dispenser 100, a handtowel dispenser 100, a wiper or wiper dispenser 100, or the like forrolled paper products. Paper products describes sheet materials madefrom cellulose fibers (e.g., wood pulp), synthetic fibers (e.g.,polypropylene) or some combination thereof, and include, for example,bath tissue, paper towels and wipers. A rolled product is aninterconnected sheet product that is wound around a core, and a centerpull product is a rolled product that is unwound from its core outwardtowards its periphery.

FIG. 1B is a representation of an example roll of paper product 106(e.g., a rolled paper product that is center pulled). The paper product106 includes a plurality of product sheets 106 a separated byperforations 106 b. As described below in greater detail, theperforations 106 b have a break force, which is exceeded when theproduct 106 is pulled through the dispenser 100 in a dispense operationto separate, one-by-one, the sheets 106 a for single sheet dispensing.In some implementations, the paper product 106 (in roll form) has anouter diameter (OD) of 190-250, in particular 195-220 millimeters andinner diameter (ID) of 30-80, in particular 40-45 millimeters, a basisweight (e.g., air dry basis per sheet) of 20-35, in particular 23-30grams per square meter, a per sheet length (L) of 150-250, in particular200-230 millimeters, a per sheet width (W) of 90-150, in particular110-125 millimeters, and a perforation cut length (PCL) of 1-5, inparticular 1.85-4 millimeters when a perforation bond distance (PBD) is1.0 millimeters. In some implementations, for example, the bonding ratio(=1−perforation ratio) is 15%-50%, in particular 20%-35%. The sheets 106a are pulled through the dispenser 100 and dispensed along the axisparallel to their length L.

The dispenser 100 includes a body 102, e.g., a composite or metalhousing, with an outer surface (e.g., an exterior surface of the body102). The dispenser 100 also includes a product holding area 104 to hold(e.g., rolled) paper product 106, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D,respectively, which are cutaway representations of the dispenser 100with the front cover 102 a of the body 102 in an closed position to andin an open position to show the product holding area 104.

In some implementations, the product holding area 104 is a space orcavity within the body 102 in which the product 106 can be positionedfor dispensing, and can be accessed by rotating or pivoting the frontcover 102 a, from a closed position, away from the back cover 102 b(e.g., the wall mounted portion) by a hinge or the like to an openposition. For example, the front cover 102 a, when in the closedposition, and the back cover 102 b define the product holding area 104.

The dispenser 100 also includes a dispensing nozzle 110, which operatesto dispense a portion of the product 106 (e.g., one sheet 106 a at atime), as described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. FIG. 2A is afirst side cutaway representation of the dispensing nozzle 110, FIG. 2Bis a second side cutaway representation of the dispensing nozzle 110 andFIG. 2C is a perspective representation of the dispensing nozzle 110.The dispensing nozzle 110 is located in the front cover 102 a and, insome implementations, proximate to a core of the product 106 when thefront cover 102 a is in the closed position. Thus the dispensing nozzle110 provides an opening in the front cover 102 a through which theproduct 106 can be moved from the product holding area 104 to a regionexternal to the dispenser 100 for access and use by a user. As describedabove, in some implementations the dispensing nozzle 110 is positionedto align with and be proximate the center axis of the product 106, e.g.,aligned to the axis centered in the open core of the rolled product 106.In other implementations, the dispensing nozzle 110 can be positionedanywhere on the front cover 102 a or sides 105 of the dispenser 100,e.g., proximate the periphery of the roll 106. For example, for a rolledproduct 106 that unwinds from its periphery, the dispensing nozzle 110is positioned on the side 105 of the dispenser 110.

More particularly, FIG. 2D shows a cross sectional representation of thedispensing nozzle 110 with a sheet product 106 a extending out throughthe dispensing nozzle 110. In this normal operation the sheet 106 apasses through the nozzle 110 pulling the next sheet partially throughthe nozzle 110 before perforating from that next sheet, which allows thenext sheet to protrude from the dispensing nozzle 110 to let a usereasily grab it. Thus in this operation the next sheet is partiallypulled through the dispensing nozzle 110 before it perforates from thesheet 106 a being pulled by the user. To this end, the force applied bythe primary dispensing nozzle 110 on the sheets 106 a as they passthrough is designed to cause a sheet 106 a being pulled by a user toperforate from the next sheet 106 a (by exceeding the force required toperforate the sheets) only after the next sheet 106 a has partiallypassed through the dispensing nozzle 110.

In some implementations, this force is applied by friction between thesheet 106 a and the dispensing nozzle 110 is based, at least in part, onthe diameter of the dispensing nozzle 110 and its configuration relativeto the size, basis weight and/or composition of the paper 106 passingthrough it. For example, with a conically shaped dispensing nozzle 110the narrowing of the dispensing nozzle 110 as the product 106 passesthrough increases the frictional force applied on the product 106 as thediameter of the dispensing nozzle 110 decreases as the sheet 106 a ispulled through until the sheet 106 a perforates. Thus, afterperforation, it is desired that the next sheet 106 a is partially in theproduct holding area 104 and partially extending out through thedispensing nozzle 110.

Because the dispenser 100 and product 106 are designed to work togetherto ensure proper dispensing, the dispenser 100 also discouragesunauthorized roll use as rolls not made to the appropriatespecifications, e.g., as described above, will either perforateprematurely (e.g., on a regular basis) or not perforate at all.

In some implementations, the dispensing nozzle 110 has an inner portion112 and an outer portion 114 with the inner portion 112 being closer tothe roll 106 when the front cover 102 a is in the closed position thanthe outer portion 114. The inner and outer portions 112, 114 can beseparate pieces or a single piece. The inner and outer portions 112, 114cooperate to define a path through which the product 106 is dispensedfrom the product holding area 104 to the user. The inner portion 112 canhave a height 112 h, for example, ranging from 10-20, in particular13-18 mm and the outer portion 114 can have a height 114 h ranging from5-12, in particular 7-10 mm. In some implementations, the height 112 hof the inner portion 112 is greater than the height 114 h of the outerportion 114.

In some implementations, the inner portion 112 has a plurality offingers 113 with each of the plurality of fingers 113 having a floatingfinger end 116 and at least two finger ends 116 are not connected toeach other. For example, in some implementations, no finger ends 116 areconnected to any other finger end 116. The plurality of fingers 113define, at least in part, a pathway 111 through which the product 106 isdispensed. In some implementations, the fingers 113 define a cone shape(e.g., a quasi-cone shape, for example, a concave cone) for this pathway111 with the wide end of the cone 118 being closer to the productholding area 104 than the narrow end of the cone 120. For example, thewide end of the cone 118 has a diameter or width ranging from 8-25, inparticular 10-15 mm, and the narrow end of the cone 120 has a diameteror width ranging from 4-12, in particular 6-9 mm, and the fingers 113have a height ranging from 5-15, in particular 9-13 mm. In someimplementations, the fingers 113 define a cylindrical pathway with aconstant or varying, or combination thereof, diameter from the wide end118 to the narrow end 120.

The number of fingers 113 can vary. For example, in someimplementations, there are three fingers 113 evenly spaced 120 degreesapart along a circle formed by the plurality of fingers 113. Generallythere are at least two fingers. The fingers 113 can be made of, forexample, a composite or metallic material. In some implementations, thefingers 113 can deflect or flex slightly, e.g., to expand outwardly totemporarily increase the diameter of the narrow end of the cone 120, asthe product 106 is pulled through the nozzle 116, but generally aresemi-rigid members, e.g. hold their own shape and position and have someresistance to any change thereof. At least two or all fingers 113 canbe, for example, completely separated from one another but have a commonbase 119. Because at least two of the fingers 113 are separated, e.g.,have separate finger ends 116 or are completely separate with a commonbase, they are able to deflect, as described above. In addition, oralternative to, the diameter or (diameters of the cone defined by thefingers 113), the degree of deflection can be selected to apply theforce necessary to perforate the sheets 106 a.

In some implementations, the inner portion 112 includes a secondarymember 117, as shown in FIG. 2E, which is a perspective representationof the secondary member 117 of the dispensing nozzle 110. The secondarymember 117 has a fingered structure similar to that of the inner portion112 except that its secondary fingers 124 are positioned to encompassthe fingers 113 and be placed to overlap then open regions in the innerposition (i.e., cover the space between the fingers 113). Thus, in someimplementations, the secondary fingers 124 may define a quasi-cone shapesurrounding the quasi cone shape defined by the plurality of fingers113. For example, the secondary fingers 124 are positioned along acircle where such circle has a diameter greater than the largestdiameter or width of the outer portion 114. In some implementations, thesecondary fingers 124 have a height ranging from 10-20, in particular12-17 mm. In some implementations, the wide end of the quasi-cone shapedefined by the secondary fingers have a diameter or width ranging from10-20, in particular 13-18 mm, and the narrow end of the quasi-coneshape defined by the secondary fingers have a diameter or width of 5-10,in particular 6-9 mm.

The outer portion 114 has an opening 122 that at least partial overlapsthe pathway 111. The opening 122 has a diameter or width, for exampleranging from 5-10, in particular 6-9 mm. In some implementations, theopening 122 is centered on the pathway 111 while in otherimplementations the opening 122 is offset from the pathway 111. Theouter portion 114 can be made from the same material as the innerportion 112 or from a different material. In some implementations, thediameter of the secondary member 117 is greater than that of the opening122.

The opening 122 has an entry end 123 and an exit end 125. The entry end123 is closer to the inner portion 112 than the exit end 125 and theentry end 123 is situated in an entry plane 127. In someimplementations, the finger ends 116 do not cross the entry plane 127such that the fingers 113 do not extend into the outer portion 114. Inother implementations, the fingers 113 can extend into the outer portion114.

As described above, it is undesirable for the product 106 fall backinside the dispenser 100, e.g., into the product holding area 104. Toavoid this problem dispenser can have an opening 122 with a diameter orwidth larger than that of the inner portion 112 (e.g., narrow end of thecone 120) and/or the fingers 113 can deflect inwardly to narrow thepathway 111 diameter if the product 106 is moved back towards theproduct holding area 104. More specifically, as the product 106 movesfrom the inner portion 112 to the wider outer portion 114 (e.g., opening122) during a dispensing operation the product 106 is able to expandinto a less crumpled or constricted form, as the product 106 is squeezedor compressed to be able to pass through the inner portion 112 and thenable to return to a larger form in the wider outer portion 114. Thus ifthe product 106 begins to fall (or is pushed) back down into the innerportion 112 it must once again be compressed to fit into the narrowerinner portion 112. The force needed for this compression, and thegreater frictional forces between the product 106 and the narrower innerportion 112, as compared to that between the product 106 and the widerouter portion 114, resist the product 106 moving back into the dispenser100. Also, in some implementations, when the product 106 begins to fallback inside the dispenser 100, the product 106 is caught between thegaps created between the inner portion 112 and the outer portion 114.

Moreover, given that the product 106 may engage the finger ends 116 asit is compressed back into the narrower inner portion 112 the fingerends 116 may grab the product 106 and be pulled or deflect inwardly,thereby further narrowing the narrow end of the cone 120 making it moredifficult for the product 106 to fall back into the dispenser 100.Additionally, as the product 106 tries to move back into the dispenser100, it may try to expand out into the region between the fingers 113and get trapped between the fingers 113 and the secondary fingers 124,which also resists such backward movement of the product 106.

As described above, the front cover 102 a can be hinged to the backcover 102 b, as shown in FIG. 1D. In some implementations, the frontcover 102 a is hinged to the back cover 102 b proximate a bottom edge126 of the back cover 102 a. The back cover 102 b, or dispenser 100 moregenerally, can include a hinge stop 128 to limit how wide/far the frontcover 102 a can pivot open. For example, the hinge stop 128 can be amechanical obstruction that engages and restricts a bottom portion ofthe front cover 102 a from pivoting past a certain point, e.g.,restricts the front cover from opening past 115 degrees.

FIG. 3 shows representations of an example product support structure302. The dispenser 100 includes a product support structure 302 thatprovides support for center pulled roll products as the product 106 isdepleted and becomes thin at its periphery and susceptible tocollapsing. For example, the product support structure 302 can bepositioned proximate the periphery of product side of the front cover102 a, the back cover 102 b or both, and can include multiple engagementpoints or areas that press against or insert into the product 106 nearits periphery when the front cover 102 a is in the closed position. Theproduct support structure 302, in function, holds the periphery of theproduct 106 to keep it from collapsing as it is depleted.

FIG. 4 shows representations of an example forward biasing device 402.The dispenser 100 includes a forward biasing device 402 to push theproduct 106 towards the front cover 102 a, when in the closed position,and also, like the support structure 302, helps to prevent the product106 from collapsing, while otherwise positioning the product 106 forproper dispenser operation. In some implementations, the forward biasingdevice 402 includes a plurality of biasing members 404 positioned on theback cover 102 b. Each biasing member 404 includes a biasing device 406and product contact device 408. In some implementations, the productcontact device 408 is made from an elastic material, e.g., siliconerubber, and has a textured, e.g., wavy, surface to cause frictionbetween the product contact device 408 and the paper product 106. Insome implementations, this textured surface can create a higherfrictional surface, as compared to a comparable flat surface. Thebiasing device 406 can be, for example, a spring 406 or other resilientmember that engages the back cover 102 b on one end and engages theproduct contact device 408 on the other and biases the product contactdevice 408 away from the back cover 102 b. In this way, the biasingmembers 404, when the front cover 102 a is in the closed position, pushthe product 106 towards the front cover 102 a to guide the product 106into its desired position for dispensing and support the product 106during dispensing, e.g., helping to prevent the product 106 fromcollapsing or shifting during dispensing, thereby promoting properdispenser 100 operation.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. A dispenser for a center-pulled rolled product comprising:

a body having a product holding area for the product, and a front coverpivotally hinged to a back cover to allow the front cover to transitionbetween an open position and a closed position;

a dispensing nozzle located in the front cover and proximate to a coreof the product when the front cover is in the closed position, wherein:

-   -   the dispensing nozzle has an inner portion and an outer portion        with the inner portion being closer to the roll when the front        cover is in the closed position than the outer portion;    -   the inner portion has a plurality of fingers with each of the        plurality of fingers having a floating finger end and at least        two finger ends are not connected to each other, and wherein the        plurality of fingers define a cone shape of the inner portion        and the at least two finger ends define at least part of a        pathway through which for sheets of the product can be        dispensed; and    -   the outer portion has an opening that at least partial overlaps        the pathway.

Embodiment 2. The dispenser of embodiment 1, wherein the plurality offingers comprises at least three fingers.

Embodiment 3. The dispenser of any preceding embodiment, the opening hasa first diameter and the pathway has a circular cross section with asecond diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the seconddiameter.

Embodiment 4. The dispenser of embodiment 3, wherein the opening has anentry end and an exit end, wherein the entry end is closer to the innerportion than the exit end and the entry end is situated in an entryplane, and wherein the at least two finger ends do not cross the entryplane.

Embodiment 5. The dispenser of any preceding embodiment, wherein the atleast two finger ends are spaced at least 120 degrees apart along acircle formed by the plurality of fingers.

Embodiment 6. The dispenser of any preceding embodiment, wherein theinner portion has a height and the outer portion has a height, and theheight of the inner portion is greater than the height of the outerportion.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. While this specification contains many specific implementationdetails, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope ofany invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularinventions. Certain features that are described in this specification inthe context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser for a center-pulled rolled productcomprising: a body having a product holding area for the product, and afront cover pivotally hinged to a back cover to allow the front cover totransition between an open position and a closed position; a dispensingnozzle located in the front cover and proximate to a core of the productwhen the front cover is in the closed position, wherein: the dispensingnozzle has an inner portion and an outer portion with the inner portionbeing closer to the roll when the front cover is in the closed positionthan the outer portion; the inner portion has a plurality of fingerswith each of the plurality of fingers having a floating finger end andat least two finger ends are not connected to each other, and whereinthe plurality of fingers define a cone or quasi-cone shape of the innerportion and the at least two finger ends define at least part of apathway through which for sheets of the product can be dispensed; andthe outer portion has an opening that at least partial overlaps thepathway.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingerscomprises at least three fingers.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, theopening has a first diameter and the pathway has a circular crosssection with a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greaterthan the second diameter.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein theopening has an entry end and an exit end, wherein the entry end iscloser to the inner portion than the exit end and the entry end issituated in an entry plane, and wherein the at least two finger ends donot cross the entry plane.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the atleast two finger ends are spaced at least 120 degrees apart along acircle formed by the plurality of fingers.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1,wherein the inner portion has a height and the outer portion has aheight, and the height of the inner portion is greater than the heightof the outer portion.